Winning streak not exactly hearts, flowers

Credit: Matt Stone

INSIDE JOB: Shaquille O’Neal looks to turn toward the hoop against the defense of the 76ers’ Spencer Hawes (left) and Jrue Holiday during last night’s game at the Garden.

The Celtics have won 14 straight games, and never has a winning streak carried such a weight.

“It’s not very enjoyable because every night you’re just trying to figure out a lineup on the floor,” said coach Doc Rivers, who made it through last night’s 84-80 win against the Philadelphia 76ers without Rajon Rondo (ankle), Jermaine O’Neal (flu) and Delonte West (wrist).

“Usually when you’re on a winning streak, everyone is healthy. Everybody is playing well and you’re rolling. But you can make the case that it’s the exact opposite with us.

“Everybody is not healthy, and key guys are out. And we keep doing it. The key, I guess, is that Kevin (Garnett), Ray (Allen) and Paul (Pierce) have been healthy.”

Naughty boys

Pierce and Garnett both picked up technical fouls in the third quarter, and one glance at the boxscore shows why. Though the Sixers ended up attempting 10 more free throws (31-21) than the Celtics, for most of the game the gap was much wider.

“I got frustrated; I got a technical,” Pierce said. “You’re trying to get a rhythm, get a balance, and the calls are being made each and every way. Sometimes that happens when you let the refs get the best of you, and it obviously effected my play.”

Friendly fire

Rivers, for a change, wasn’t so happy with Tom Thibodeau yesterday.

The former Celtics assistant, now coaching the Bulls, came out on top of a 45-point win against Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

The fact that the Celtics played Philly last night had Rivers scrambling to fire off a text message to his former associate.

“I’ve watched the game. I texted a very mean message to Thibs after the game, so you know (Philadelphia will) be ready. That’s just human nature. You don’t want to be the next team, obviously, but we are. You just have to deal with it.”

Fortunately for Rivers, his team had enough to overcome the angry Sixers

Philadelphia coach Doug Collins found a little post-disaster peace at a local Starbucks yesterday.

“I was sitting in Starbucks today, and I was thinking as much as we got our tails kicked last night, I wonder how Kobe Bryant felt in here in Game 6 (in 2008) when they lost by 39,” Collins said. “It happens in this business. You don’t want to forget it, but at the same time you have to move on and get better from it.”

JO sick day

The Jermaine O’Neal watch will last for another two days, after all.

Though the backup center’s left knee was ready for his first appearance in the past 18 games, a case of the flu got in the way last night.

O’Neal didn’t even make it to the Garden.

“I think he’ll play next game (Christmas in Orlando), but he’s just not feeling well,” Rivers said. “He has the flu. I don’t know how much we’ll play him right away, but at least he’ll be in uniform, which will be good.”

One player who appears to be moving with much less pain is Rondo, though don’t expect the point guard to recover from his left ankle sprain on time for Christmas.

Larry Brown, by mutual agreement with owner Michael Jordan, stepped down as coach of the Charlotte Bobcats yesterday. Rivers, a good friend, clearly was bothered by the move.

“Disturbing,” the Celtics coach said. “I have a great relationship with Larry, so that’s tough. He’s a great coach. But it’s our business, as we learn way too much.”

Said Collins: “He’s opened a lot of doors for coaches like myself, because any time a former player steps in and does well, it gives other former players a chance to do that same thing.” .Ã¢â‚¬â€°.Ã¢â‚¬â€°.

Rivers considers it an honor to play on Christmas. It also helps that the game is in the same town where his family lives.

“It’s a lot more special when it’s in Orlando,” he said. “That’s where we should have all the games, for a lot of reasons, obviously.”